Seoul- Opinion polls showed the conservative Grand National Party (GNP) would replace the liberal United Democratic Party (UDP) as the National Assembly's largest faction as South Koreans turned out in low numbers Wednesday to elect a new legislature.

The National Election Commission said that as of 3 pm (6 GMT), three hours before polls closed, 36 per cent of the country's 37.8 million eligible voters had cast ballots, down from 48 per cent at the same point in the voting in the previous election four years ago.

Voter turnout hit a record low in December for a presidential election when 62.9 per cent of voters took part.

To encourage people to turn out at polling stations, voters were being given vouchers for reduced entry prices at museums and other public institutions, and President Lee Myung Bak of the GNP - who ended 10 years of UDP domination of the East Asian country when he assumed office in February - called on South Koreans to exercise their right to vote.

But polling firms and election officials still forecast another record low turnout at around 50 per cent, largely because of political apathy and disgruntlement.

Predictions that the GNP might be able to achieve a two-thirds majority in the Assembly faded after an internal squabble over candidate nominations tarnished the party's image, but it was still expected to achieve a majority.

It was forecast to win 160 of the Assembly's 299 seats against 100 for the UDP.

The first election results were expected late Wednesday.

The GNP called on voters to elect a "stable" government while the UDP said they should keep the government in check.

Recent tensions with North Korea are expected to have little impact on the election.

Pyongyang has recently threatened to cut off dialogue with Seoul after the new government in South Korea adopted a tougher stance with its communist neighbour. (dpa)